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Moments with You Couples Devotional 8/14

I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart. I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. PSALM 101:2-3

We Americans recently passed one of those cultural milestones we've been slouching toward for years: We now have more television sets in our homes than people.

Nielsen Media Research found that about half of us now have three or more TVs, with a sizable number boasting as many as seven or eight. And, believe it or not, 25 percent of two-year-olds have a TV in their room.

A few years ago, after reading Bob DeMoss's book TV: The Great Escape, a wild thought occurred to me: What if we encouraged families to take a whole month off from television every year? What if we declared a TV fast for the month of August?

We have now done it for five years. We call it, "Turn Off the TV Fast."

So, here we are nearing the end of summer. We're all kind of tired of the break by now. Vacation has probably come and gone. In some states, school is set to start in a few days.

What do you say? Are you and your family game for a TV fast? This means you can't even watch nature shows or war documentaries. Imagine the calories you could burn or the neighbors you could meet by taking walks together in the evening. Imagine the conversations you could have in the quietness of your own home. Imagine the yard work and other household jobs you could accomplish—the ones you keep complaining about not having time to do. I'm giving that time back to you right now, every evening, for 31 days straight!

Hey, it's just a suggestion. But a lot of people who felt the color rush from their faces at the first mention of a TV fast have written to say what a gift it's been to their families.

Try it. You might like it.

DISCUSS

Name some things you and your family could do with the TV off for a month.

PRAY

If this has struck you as something you should do, ask God for the courage and self-control to see it through.